15th to 17th July 2019

So very much to think about in these two days - lets start with the 15th of July 1974 - the day Greece decided to overthrow the legitimate and democratically elected government of Cyprus. To this day we are suffering the terrible injustice and nationalistic madness which led on the 20th of July to Turkey occupying some 30 % of the island to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority. 45 years later, that Turkish minority is in danger of becoming another minority in the north. People from both sides of the divide are stunned at the inability of the government to move forward on a plan of unity and reconciliation. 

We are the last generation to remember the beauty of the united island. That is not to ignore the real problems that existed, but to say enough of the inaction. Already this generation is thinning on the ground. Today Cyprus lost Alexis Galanos, Mayor of Famagusta, friend and tireless advocate for the return of the ghost city of Famagusta to its legitimate owners. This drain will continue until there are no memories, no people who feel this visceral divide. The new generations coming up have nothing to connect them, no shared history or stories to relate to. I am sad and depressed by the state of inaction but know that looking back is not going to give us any answers, except perhaps to make sure we don't repeat the same mistakes. Where is our blue print for the future?  

And then the 17th of July is St Marina's day - my saints day which is celebrated on the island almost with the strength of birthdays. So to all my friends and co- named Marinas, of which there are many, Happy Nameday. One person would often offer celebration in a special way and that was my late sister Niki who would offer a book, a drawing or a dessert. Today I share with you one of her little drawings which is the cup of plenty, happiness and love, with bees buzzing in the corners, which she painted for me for my birthday in 2007. This is our plenty - a pineapple grown from a top- it took nearly 3 years but here it is in its splendour, colours, leaves and all. So when others, bigger, stronger disappoint and let you down, remember those small things and bring happiness and joy into your life to push for change one pineapple at a time.